Sunday, May 08, 2011

Marathon... Binge?

We've all heard of the marathon blues, which I have managed to pretty much avoid since becoming a mother because I am too busy for that nonsense, but this time I had a marathon binge. More to the point, a post-marathon binge. Man oh man... I have eaten ALL of the bad stuff this week: cake, donuts, potato chips, ice cream, diet cola, fries, more ice cream... oh my. I guess it was good to get it all out of my system; I really, really craved it all.

Moving forward! What's next, you ask? I intend to do a 5k on June 3rd with the same friend from church whom I accompanied on her first 5k back on March 25th. But I do intend to get some rest from running. I have not run a step since the Frisco Railroad Run Marathon. I plan to take 26 days off from running. That is, from the marathon until one week prior to the 5k. Sound good? An odd number, I know, but I think my body deserves it. As much as I would like to get right back out there (and believe me, I want to) I think it is probably best to give my body some time off from the sport I love. In retrospect, I ran three marathons within six months. And I only took off about seven weeks total. Yikes!

I do not have a maintenance plan for the summer just yet, but I will likely begin training for marathon #7 (either C or S, time and funds will tell...) in late July, which will give me about 16 weeks to prepare. That gives me 7-8 weeks in the summer months to base train, cross train or who-knows-what. Oh the possibilities! For now I am going to enjoy the so-called downtime. Here goes nothin'.

10 comments:

Petraruns said...

Enjoy your break - you deserve it! Go and rest up, ease up and enjoy everything else - marathoning will be back when you have taken your rest!

A Nest in the Making said...

Enjoy your time off!

I do have a question though. When you take a large break (say... 26 weeks...) what is it like starting back up? Can you still run the long distances? What are you able to do mileage wise when you get back into it? I'm curious because, you can get back in to shape for a marathon in 16 weeks, and I'm wondering if that's from 0 to 26.2 or exactly what you get done in those 16 weeks. I don't think, from where I am now, I could be marathon ready in 16 weeks, so I'm just curious I guess!

~Kristi

A Nest in the Making said...

I'm not sure about how to "stick" it. I haven't gotten to try it out yet, but I was thinking about that. I'm wondering if I couldn't put extra ties in the corners, and then tie it to the high chair tray, but then not all high chairs have a tray like that, and if he's using the table that won't work at all.
Suction cups maybe? Sew loops on the back side, and an extra pocket on the front side. Keep mini suction cups in the extra pocket when rolled up, and then slip them through the loops on the back when you use it.
Let me think about it this Sunday when we use it out.

And that makes sense about the training. I think it seems so overwheming to me becuase I've NEVER ran more than 3 miles. So the idea of adding so much in such a short period of time seems crazy. But then, since I've never tried, I really have no reference for how long it would take. Hehe.

The weather was pretty nasty yesterday, but the hubby and I are hoping to go for another 3 miles this evening. 30% chance of rain, so hopefully the storms stay away.

I haven't done a full 3 mile run yet. I felt great Tuesday before I had some stomach issues and decided it would be best to walk. Leg/lung wise, though, I think I could've made it. Cross your fingers that tonight is my night!

chris mcpeake said...

Relax and enjoy the down time and recovery.
You earned it!

Dianabol said...

Breaks are great it's comforting that the break will probably be benefitial.

Diana

Unknown said...

A thought: You probably want to give yourself a little extra time to get back into running then a week before the 5k.

If you get a slow run of 3 miles, say on the 23r or 24, then start picking up speed, you'll have an easier period leading up to the 5k. You've trained your body for 26+ miles for a while now, it'll need a little time to adjust to the speed change.

###
@Kristi (A Nest in the Making):
When you take a large break (say... 26 weeks...) what is it like starting back up? Like John Lennon sang, "It's like starting over"

Can you still run the long distances? Oh, Yes, with training

What are you able to do mileage wise when you get back into it? It's not uncommon that a long period of rest after a marathon that the previous "Oh, it's just 4 miles, why even bother" turns into "Man, 2 miles is kicking my ahhhh"

The good news is that The Body Remembers, so once it realizes that you are training for a marathon, it'll kick into training mode. Subsequently, the more times you do this the easier it is for the body to get into marathon mode.

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couponsforzipcodes said...

wel great job indeed...just make sure you get optimum rest...have fun...god bless...

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